Injection fuel nozzle



oct. 21, 195s A@ KORT 2,857,203

INJECTION FUEL NozzLE Filed Dec. 27, .1956

:fill/11111122 n ALFRED C. KORTE l -Y BY 53 6MM/m,

ATTORNEY United States Patent() INJECTION FUEL NOZZLE Alfred C. Korte, St..Louis, Mo., assignor to ACF Industries, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey t Application December 27, 1956, Serial No. 630,932

12 Claims. (Cl. 299-107.S)

This invention relates to nozzles for fue] metering systems, and more particularly to a fuel nozzle adapted for use with a fuel flow regulating and distributing system which is responsive to engine requirements to adjust the fuel-to-air ratio in the charging mixture for an internal combustion engine.

The fuel metering system may be of the type disclosed in a co-pending application iile'd June 20, 1955, Serial No. 516,358, in the name of Armstrong, now Patent No. 2,785,669 of March 19, 1957, in which a fuel nozzle is disposed adjacent the intake valve of an engine to supply pressurized fuel to an engine in accordance with engine requirements.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a continuous iiow injector fuel nozzle with an air bleed whereby pressurized liquid fuel is mixed with air and atomized as it passes from the nozzle to the engine.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a fuel nozzle in which a stream of air is directed axially toward and through the apex of a frusto-conical film of liquid fuel to atomize the fuel as it passes outwardly through a restricted nozzle port to the engine.

A further object of the invention resides in the pro- Vision of a fuel nozzle having a pressure responsive Valve member controlling the flow of liquid fuel through a valve seat, thevalve member being hollow to provide an air bleed passage having an outlet posterior to the valve seat to atomize and prevent dripping of the liquid fuel from the nozzle.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a fuelnozzle which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction and reliable in operation.

The invention embodies other novel features, details of construction and arrangements of parts, which are hereinafter set forth in the specification and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1`is a diagrammatic view illustrating the fuel nozzle incorporated in a fuel flow regulating and distributing system for internal combustion engines.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal `sectional View illustrating a fuel nozzle'embodying features of the invention, the outlet end of the nozzle being shown in side elevation.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View showing the outlet end of the nozzle.

Referring now to the drawing for a better understanding of the invention, the fuelinjection system is shown and briefly described as comprising a fuel -line 6 leading from a source of liquid fuelto a pump P and thence through a pressure regulator 7 to a charging chamber 8 at the desired system pressure. The fuel is discharged from the charging chamber through a series of metering orifices 9 controlled by metering rods V11, each orifice being connected to a charging line 12 leading to a charging chamber 13 in afuelnozzle 14 to apply pressure to one side of a diaphragm 16 tending to movea nozzle valve needle 17 away from its seat 18.

Fuel from the charging chamber 8 also passes through a datum system metering orifice 19, controlled by a meter- 2,857,203 Patented Oct. 21, 1958 ICC ing rod 21, and thence through a datum line 22 having branches 23 leading to their respective pressure chambers 24 in the fuel nozzles 14. The datum fuel line 22 is also a by-pass to the inlet side of the pump P through a restriction 26 anda pressure regulator 27 to maintain a pressure in the datum system slightly less than that in the charging system by an amount equal to the force of the coiled spring 28 which bears against the diaphragm 16 in a direction tending to close the nozzle Valve needle 17.

In the air inlet passage 29 of the engine induction system is provided a balanced air valve 31 connected through a magnetic clutch 32 to the metering rods 11 which control the metering orifices 9. The air valve 31 is also connected by an arm 32 and link 33 to a diaphragm 34 mounted in a casing 36. A conduit 37 connects the chamber 3S on the back side of the diaphragm 34 to the air induction passage just posterior to the air valve 31. The chamber 39 at the opposite side of the diaphragm 34 is connected through an opening 40 to the air induction passage anterior to the air valve 31. The arrangement is such that a substantially constant pressure drop is maintained across the air valve 31, the valve changing its position to maintain such constant pressure differential. The deflection of the air valve 31 responds to airliow changes to control charging metering rods 11.

The datum metering rod 21 is controlled through a magnetic clutch 41 by a step-up piston 42 in a cylinder 43 connected by a conduit 44 to air inlet passage 29 posterior to a manually operable throttle valve 46 therein. Piston l2 is connected to a coiled bimetal thermostat 47 in such a way as to cooperate with the piston to vary the datum metering rod 21 according to temperature. Since the charging fuel pressure remains constant, the position of the datum metering rod 21 determines the pressure in the datum system and the position of the valve needle 17 relative to its valve seat 18 to regulate the ow of fuel'from the fuelnozzle 14 into the engine intake manifold, as illustrated, described and claimed in said copending application.

The marginal portion of the disk-shaped diaphragm 16 is clamped between a nozzle body 48 and a cover 49 by means of cap screws. An outlet tube S1 is secured to the body 48 by means of a packing gland nut 52 externally threaded to engage the body, and internally threaded to receive the inner end of the tube. The outer end of thetube is internally threaded to receive an apertured cap 53 having a tubular valve seat insert 54 mounted therein.

"The inner end of the valve seat insert 54 is formedwith a relatively sharp seat 18 for engagement by yan annular shoulder 56011 the valve needle 17 to stopthe owfo'f fuel from the nozzle`14. The valve seat inserty is rshown as formed with a cylindrical inner surface merging with a frusto-conical surface 57 'adjacent the outer end ofthe valve needle17. A 'restricted outlet port 53 Vis formed in the outer end of the insert 54 at the a'pexcf the frustoconical surface y57. As/illustratedfin Fig.3 thel outer end of the valve `needle 17-'beyond theshoulder 56 is provided with an-outer cylindrical surface slightly smaller in diameter and length than thefinner cylindrical surface of the valve seat insert'54.

An air conduit 55 leads from atmosphere to the cover i9 to provide a ow of air through aiiexible conduiti59 and thence through a passage '61 in the valve needle `17 to Amix with and atomize fuel passing along the frustoconical surface into and through' the outlet port -when the valve needle is open to discharge fuel into-an engine air intake passage to satisfy engine requirements. Conduit 55 may lead from a source of compressed air or other pressurized gases capable of atomizing the fuel discharge.

In the operation of the fuel nozzle 14, fuel under pressure passes into the charging chamber 13 and thence through the outlet tube 51 and valve insert 54 to the engine, the position of the needle 17 with respect to its seat 18 being controlled by the datum fuel pressure in the pressure chamber 24. During discharge of fuel the nozzle, it is atomized by the steam of air passing outwardly through the needle passage 61 and restricted outlet port 58.

While the invention has 'been shown in but one form, it is obvious to those skilled in this art that it is not so limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a fuel injection system for internal combustion engines, a fue] nozzle having a reciprocable needle valve, a pressure responsive member to actuate said needle valve, means to supply fuel to said nozzle under pressure to urge said member in one direction to open said needle valve to discharge fuel to the engine, other means to supply fluid under variable pressures to variably resist opening movement of said needle valve, and an air bleed passage leading from atmosphere through an open passage in said needle valve to atomize fuel being discharged from said nozzle.

2. In a fuel injection system for internal combustion engines, a fuel nozzle having a restricted port and a reciprocable needle valve for controlling the flow of fuel through said port, a pressure responsive member to actuate said needle valve, means to supply fuel to said nozzle under pressure to urge said member in one direction to open said needle valve to discharge fuel to the engine, other means to supply fluid under variable pressures to variably resist opening movement of said needle valve, and an air bleed passage in said nozzle leading from atmosphere through said port to atomize fuel being discharged from said nozzle.

3. A system according to claim l in which said nozzle comprises a housing having an air inlet, and a flexible conduit connecting said air inlet to said axial passage in said needle valve.

4. In a fuel injection system, a fuel nozzle having a body and a fuel discharge tube, a movable hollow valve needle in said tube operable to control the flow of fuel from said tube, a flexible air conduit connecting said nozzle body to said needle for the flow of air through said needle and into said tube to atomize fuel discharged therefrom, and separate means for actuating said valve needle in opposite directions within said tube.

5. In a fuel injection system, a fuel nozzle having a body and a fuel discharge tube, a movable hollow valve needle in said'tube operable to control the flow of fuel from said tube, a exible air conduit connecting said nozzle body to said needle for the flow of air through said needle and into said tube to atomize fuel discharged therefrom, and means connected to said valve needle operable responsive to a differential in fuel pressures in the system for moving said needle.

6. In a fuel nozzle, a body having a fuel chamber and a fuel outlet tube, a valve seat in said tube, a valve member mounted for reciprocative movement in said tube to control the discharge of fuel past said valve seat I from said fuel chamber through said tube, and an air bleed passage leading into said tube posterior to said valve seat to atomize fuel discharged from said tube.

7. In a fuel nozzle, a body having a fuel chamber and a fuel outlet tube, a Valve seat in said tube, a valve member mounted for reciprocative movement in said tube to control the discharge of fuel past said valve seat A, from said fuel chamber through said tube, and an air bleed passage leading into said tube posterior to said valve seat, said tube having a restricted orifice at its discharge end for the flow of fuel and air therethrough.

8. In a fuel nozzle, a body having a fuel chamber and a fuel outlet tube, a valve seat in said tube, a valve member mounted for reciprocative movement in said tube to control the discharge of fuel past said valve seat from said fuel chamber through said tube, an air bleed passage leading through said valve member and into said tube posterior to said valve seat, said tube having a restricted orifice at its discharge end for the flow of fuel and air therethrough, and means operable responsive to fluid pressure to actuate said valve member.

9. ln a fuel nozzle, a body having a fuel chamber and a fuel outlet tube, a valve seat in said tube, a valve member mounted for reciprocative movement in said tube to control the discharge of.fuel from said fuel chamber through said tube, au air bleed passage leading from atmosphere through said valve member and into said tube posterior to said valve seat, said tube having a restricted orifice at its discharge end for the ow of fuel and air therethrough, and means operable responsive to fluid pressure to actuate said valve member, said means including a pressure responsive member forming a partition in said fuel chamber, and separate fluid pressure connections on opposite sides of said partition.

l0. In a fuel nozzle, a body having a fuel chamber and a fuel outlet tube, a valve seat in said tube, a valve member mounted for reciprocative movement in said tube to control the discharge of fuel from said fuel chamber through said tube, an air bleed passage leading from atmosphere through said valve member and into said tube posterior to said valve seat, said tube having a restricted orifice at its discharge end for the flow of fuel and air therethrough, means operable responsive to uid pressure to actuate said valve member, said means including a pressure responsive member forming a partition in said fuel chamber, and a resilient means yieldably resisting movement of said valve member away from said seat.

1l. In a fuel nozzle, a body having a fuel chamber and a fuel outlet tube, a valve seat in said tube, a valve member mounted for reciprocative movement in said tube to control the discharge of fuel from said fuel chamber through said tube, and an air bleed passage leading from atmosphere through said valve member and into said tube posterior to said valve seat, said tube having a restricted orifice at its discharge end for the flow of fuel and air therethrough, said valve seat and restricted orifice being provided at opposite ends of a valve seat insert of tubular form secured in said tube.

12. In a fuel nozzle, a body having a fuel chamber and a fuel outlet tube, a valve seat in said tube, a valve member mounted for reciprocative movement in said tube to control the discharge of fuel from said fuel chamber through said tube, and an air bleed passage leading from atmosphere through said valve member and into said tube posterior to said valve seat, said tube having a restricted orifice at its discharge end for the flow of fuel and air therethrough, said valve seat and restricted orice being provided at opposite ends of a valve seat insert of tubular form secured in said tube, said valve member having a tubular end portion telescopically mounted in said insert between said valve seat and said orifice.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,363,470 Knudsen Dec. 28, 1920 FOREIGN PATENTS 513,983 France Nov. 8, 1920 

